Gristmill

A gristmill (also known as a grain mill, flour mill, or corn mill) is a structure used for grinding grain into flour or meal. The term can refer to both the building and the milling mechanism itself. Historically, gristmills were crucial to local economies, providing a vital service to communities by processing their grain harvest.

Gristmills utilize a pair of millstones, one stationary (the bedstone) and one rotating (the runner stone). Grain is fed between these stones, where it is ground into flour or meal by the shearing action of the rotating runner stone against the stationary bedstone. The fineness of the product can be adjusted by altering the distance between the millstones.

The power source for a gristmill traditionally comes from a natural resource such as flowing water (watermill) or wind (windmill). Watermills employ a water wheel that is turned by the force of the moving water. Windmills harness the wind's energy through sails that rotate a central shaft connected to the millstones. In later periods, some gristmills were powered by steam engines or internal combustion engines.

The flour or meal produced by a gristmill was a staple food source and was used for making bread, porridge, and other essential foods. The miller, who operated the gristmill, was often a prominent figure in the community. The miller would typically receive a portion of the grain ground as payment for their services, a practice known as mill-toll.

Gristmills played a significant role in the development of early settlements and agricultural societies. They represent an important piece of technological history, illustrating the ingenuity of humans in harnessing natural resources for essential food production. Many historic gristmills have been preserved and serve as museums, demonstrating the workings of these vital machines and providing insight into past ways of life.